AB1625 QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES
Authors: M. Serrano Warleta, L. Villalobos Sanchez, A. Corral Bote, B. A. Blanco Cáceres, J. Bachiller-Corral, M. Vázquez, P. Lazaro Y de Mercado
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Patients with rheumatic diseases (RD) have more comorbidities and worse health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than the general population. It is recommended that HRQoL be collected in medical records, but it is rarely done in routine clinical practice [1]. RD are among the most common chronic diseases in the general population, which means a large consumption of resources in Primary and Specialized Care. Therapeutic decisions in Rheumatology are usually based on levels of activity measured with disease-specific tools. However, several studies have shown differences between what is perceived by the doctor and what is declared by the patient [2]. <h3>Objectives</h3> HRQoL is considered an important indicator to assess the state of population health and measure the impact of medical actions [3,4]. The main objective of this study is to know the HRQoL of patients with RD and compare it with the general population. <h3>Methods</h3> Observational, cross-sectional, single-centre study, with consecutive inclusion of outpatients over 18 years of age seen in the rheumatology hospital outpatient clinic. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected, as well as HRQL measured with the 5-dimensional, 5-level EuroQoL (EQ-5D-5L), which includes the EQ-Index (0-1 scale) and a visual analogue scale (VAS, 0-100 scale). A descriptive analysis and a comparison with the Spanish population according to the National Health Survey were carried out. <h3>Results</h3> 1,144 patients were included, 820 (71.68%) of whom were women, with a mean age of 56.1 years (range 18-95). 241 (25.44%) were new patients. In patients with RD, the HRQoL measured with the EQ-Index and with the VAS, was 0.186 and 12 points lower, respectively, than in the general population. HRQoL affected the 5 health dimensions, especially "pain/discomfort", followed by "daily activities" and "mobility". This reduction in HRQoL was maintained in both men and women, and in all age segments, although it was greater between 18 and 65 years of age. The reduction in HRQoL affected all RD subtypes, especially the "Peripheral and axial mechanical pathology" and the "Soft tissue pathology" group. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Patients with RD report worse HRQL compared to the general population in all HRQoL dimensions. <h3>References</h3> [1] Kaplan RM, Hays RD. Health-Related Quality of Life Measurement in Public Health. Annu Rev Public Health. 2022; 43:355–373 [2] Van Tuyl LHD, Sadlonova M, Hewlett S, Davis B, Flurey C, Goel N, et al. The patient perspective on absence of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: a survey to identify key domains of patient-perceived remission. Ann. Rheum. Dis.2017; 76 (5):855–861 [3] Wolfe F, Hawley DJ. Measurement of the quality of life in rheumatic disorders using the EuroQol. Rheumatology. 1997;36(7):786–793 [4] Badia X, Roset M, Montserrat S, Herdman M, Segura A. The Spanish version of EuroQol: a description and its applications. European Quality of Life scale.Med. Clin. (Barc.). 1999; 112 (Suppl 1): 79–85 <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.